Softball

Tech takes two from Belmont in non-conference contests

Apr 15, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Freshman Whitney Cummings hit a three-run home
run in the eighth inning to lift the Tennessee Tech softball team
over Belmont in a Golden Eagle sweep as they won 4-3 and 6-3.
Sophomore Katie Betry had an outstanding day from the plate, moving
from third to first on the team in batting average at .326.

Game one started off slow for both teams, but the Golden Eagles
(23-23, 9-6 OVC) pulled ahead in the fifth and refused to let go of
the lead.

Tech got two runners in scoring position with just one out in the
first. After a single by sophomore Lacie Coquerille, a Belmont
error allowed Cummings to reach and advance to second. Sophomore
Callie Schmidt then drew a 3-2 walk to load the bases, but was
stranded at first as Tech struck out twice to end the inning.

The Golden Eagles put two more runners on base in the third with a
Cummings single and an error by the Bruins (9-23, 1-9 A-Sun)
allowed Betry to reach. Once again, however, Tech was unable to get
the ball out of the infield and remained scoreless.

The first run of the game came in the fourth after two Bruins hit
back-to-back singles and were bunted over to second and third with
one out. A wild pitch by Thomas allowed one run to score, but the
Tech defense stood strong, not allowing the other runner to come
home.

Freshman Cassidy Skeen led off the fifth with a brilliant bunt
single. A single by Coquerille through the left side and an error
by the left fielder scored Skeen from first, tying the game at one
apiece. Back-to-back-to-back singles by Betry, schmidt, and
sophomore Kaleigh Gates drove in two more runs, giving Tech the 3-1
advantage.

Coquerille opened the sixth with another single to left field and,
after advancing to second on a passed ball, came in to score on a
single by Betry.

Belmont threatened in the bottom of the sixth with two outs. Hannah
Brenzie hit a line drive single into right field and was driven in
by Elly Bennett's third home run of the season.

Thomas took the win, striking out three and not walking a single
batter. From the plate, she went 1-3 with a single and a walk.

Belmont jumped ahead early in game two, scoring a run in the first
after a pair of singles and a fielder's choice.

The Golden Eagles tied things up in the fourth when freshman Erin
Cutlip led off the inning with a single up the middle. She was
bunted over by Coquerille, then came in to score on a Betry single
to right field.

Tech struck again in the fifth with freshman Brooke Basten pinch
running for Thomas, who walked on five pitches. Basten stole
second, then advanced to third on an error by Sara Bentley. She
collided with Belmont pitcher Sammi Parks as she scores on a wild
pitch, putting Tech ahead 2-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Bruins tied the game when
pinch-runner Erin Gier scored on a fielder's choice after being
bunted over by Stayci Cook.

Cutlip was placed on second, due to the tiebreaker rule, in the
eighth and scored on a single by Gates with just one out in the
inning. A double by Betry put runners at second and third for
Cummings, who belted her team-high seventh home run, putting Tech
up 6-2.

Belmont managed only one run in the bottom of the inning as Thomas
got all three Bruin batters to ground out.

Senior Kristina Hortert pitched the first six innings for the
Golden Eagles, allowing just three hits and one run while striking
out one in her no-decision.

Thomas pitched the final two innings, picking up her 12th win of
the season after giving up only two hits. On the offensive side,
Thomas went 1-4 with three walks and just one strikeout.

Betry went 5-7 on the day with three RBIs and two runs scored.
Coquerille went 3-5 with two runs and an RBI. Gates was 2-4 with a
run and an RBI while Cummings had three RBIs and a run scored.

Tech will travel to Jacksonville State for a three-game series this
weekend, starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday.